Viking Lars | Saturday, 26 February 2022
have a few friends who come by for an annual tube up before their year week in Norway, chasing salmon with the double hander. A lot of people don’t fish during the winter, some go out for a cast every now and then, and if you’re just starting up a new season of something you’ve been doing for years and years, you’re probably fine.
Spend a day or two fishing and getting the cast back together is nice, especially if it’s something you’re very used to doing you’ll be up to speed quickly. It’s an entirely different matter if you’re heading north for salmon for a week every year, fishing double handers only up there. Or even if you head to the tropics every now and then to fish tarpon with 12-wts, making different shots than you’re used to and fishing tackle that’s entirely different from what you’re used to.
Whether you fish Southern chalk streams or reservoirs in the UK, sea trout along the Danish coasts or chase pike on a lake, a 12-wt and a saltwater line or a 13’ double hander is an entirely different beast.
Let’s say you’re one of those who fish Norway for a week every year and don’t touch the double hander from the other 51 weeks. I’ve seen people waste 2-3 days getting the cast going. You miss fishing days, you certainly miss fish. You might be an experienced angler with a clear idea of how you want to fish a pool, but if you can’t land your fly where you want, or get the angle and speed on the swing as you want it, you’re wasting valuable fishing time.
Most don’t even need an instructor - just to take the time to find some water and spend some hours casting before heading out. When I begin my salmon season, I have always spent a few days in the park or at the beach reacquainting myself with the tackle (especially if I’ve bought a new rod or lines - which can happen, you know). I want to make sure that the first casts in the dim morning light count.
Depending on your experience, I can of course recommend hiring an instructor for a few hours - and even spend some time casting before seeing her or him. It’s well worth the money and in the entire budget for a Norway-trip, it will have very little financial impact and probably make your trip that more enjoyable.
In half an hour there’ll be a shooting head on that reel and I’ll be waving the long stick in the park 10 minutes from our house. I’ll probably bring a 15’ and a “real” spey line too, just because it’s fun and elegant and long-line-snake-rolls really seem to impress bypassers.
Don’t forget the tune-ups!
Have a great weekend,
Lars